James McPake on list to become new MK Dons boss with Dundee chief ready to take over from Swansea-bound Russell Martin

JAMES McPAKE is on the shortlist for the vacant MK Dons job. The League One side are on the hunt to replace Russell Martin, who took over at Swansea City. The Welsh club came knocking on Martin’s door following Steve Cooper’s decision to step down from the role. His contract – that had one year […]

JAMES McPAKE is on the shortlist for the vacant MK Dons job.

The League One side are on the hunt to replace Russell Martin, who took over at Swansea City.

Willie Vass

James McPake is in the running to become the new MK Dons boss[/caption]

Getty

The Dons see him as the ideal replacement for Russell Martin who became Swansea boss[/caption]

The Welsh club came knocking on Martin’s door following Steve Cooper’s decision to step down from the role.

His contract – that had one year left – was terminated by ‘mutual consent’ after he refused to negotiate an extension with the club.

This was because Cooper was told he’d have to make cuts to his squad and he was concerned about the direction they were going in.

And following Martin’s exit, SunSport understands MK Dons are keen to bring in a young manager and Dundee boss McPake, 37, fits the bill.

McPake has impressed in Scotland, having led The Dark Blues into the Scottish Premier League from the Championship through the play-offs in May.

Dundee, who travel to Celtic on Sunday, kicked off the top-flight campaign with a 2-2 draw against St Mirren last weekend.

Ex-Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris who was given the boot at Chelsea along with Frank Lampard is also in contention for the Dons job.

The 42-year-old coached Chelsea’s youth academy between 2014 and 2018 before joining Lampard at Derby and Chelsea.

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He’s been in high demand since his Blues dismissal and was reported to have been contact with Swansea before Martin’s appointment.

But until the Dons manage to fill their managerial hot-seat, their veteran left-back Dean Lewington will be the club’s interim-boss for tomorrow’s League One opener at Bolton.

And while Lewington’s handling matters on the pitch, the club’s Sporting Director Liam Sweeting will be leading the search the find Martin’s successor.